Galveston in Galveston County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Galveston Immigration Stations

Photographed by Gregory Walker, April 11, 2010

1. Galveston Immigration Stations Marker

Inscription. Galveston was the port of entry for thousands of immigrants who settled in Texas and the southwest. Federal laws enacted in 1875 ended the unrestricted entry of immigrants into the country and led to the establishment of the area's first U.S. Immigration Station at Galveston's Pier 29. There U.S. Customs officials conducted medical exams, baggage inspections and formal processing of immigrants; those found to be diseased or incapacitated faced deportation. The U.S. Congress chose Galveston over New Orleans as the site of a major new Federal immigration station in 1906. Plans to build an impressive immigrant landing station on Pelican Island comparable to New York's Ellis Island facility were never fully realized. The scaled-down station, fully operational by 1913, was damaged by hurricane winds in 1915 and closed in 1916. The immigration offices were subsequently relocated to a building on Galveston's 21st Street. A new 3-story immigration station containing immigration offices, dormitories, medical facilities, a kitchen, and dining and recreational areas was completed here at 1700 Strand Avenue in 1933. It was used as

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an immigration and deportee-staging facility until about 1940 when it was converted for use as a U.S. Customs Office.

Erected 1993 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 7469.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1875.

Location. 29° 18.533′ N, 94° 47.294′ W. Marker is in Galveston, Texas, in Galveston County. It is on Strand St., on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1700 Strand St, Galveston TX 77550, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Houston Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: C. F. Marschner Building (approx. 0.2

Photographed by Jim Evans, November 24, 2011

2. Galveston Immigration Stations Marker

miles away); Kuhn's Wharf (approx. 0.2 miles away); George Washington Grover House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dominican Sisters (approx. 0.2 miles away); American National Insurance Company (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hendley's Row (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pier 19, Mosquito Fleet Berth (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hendley Row (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Galveston.

Last Galveston Immigration Station building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Gregory Walker, April 11, 2010

3. Last Galveston Immigration Station building

Galveston Immigration and Deportee Staging Facility image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jim Evans, November 24, 2011

4. Galveston Immigration and Deportee Staging Facility

Credits. This page was last revised on January 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 7, 2010, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. This page has been viewed 2,445 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 7, 2010, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. 2. submitted on December 26, 2020, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. 3. submitted on May 7, 2010, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. 4. submitted on December 26, 2020, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.